Piers Morgan looks into the world of psychopaths

Telly Today: Thursday June 27th sees the GMB presenter let out of the studio for another special documentary.

One to Watch: Psychopath with Piers Morgan, 9pm on ITV, STV and UTV

In this brand new, ground-breaking and revelatory one-off documentary Piers Morgan ventures behind bars for an extraordinary encounter with diagnosed psychopath Paris Bennett, a man who is more intelligent, more cunning and more manipulative than any criminal Piers has met before.

In 2007, Paris – a 13-year-old with a genius level IQ – stabbed to death his 4-year-old sister, Ella. This was no impulsive fit of rage, but a cold, deliberate act planned for weeks beforehand and born of festering resentment.

In Bennett’s first interview on British television he admits to Piers that the murder was driven by a calculated desire to inflict pain and misery upon his mother, Charity – who in a unique format twist is watching the encounter as it unfolds on a TV monitor in a nearby room.

Paris Bennett said: “Yes, I did commit a monstrous crime but does that one mistake define my entire life…I don’t think it does”.

Charity has stood by her son even though she fears that when he gets out, Paris could still harbour violent intentions towards her. Unlike many of the American murderers Piers has interviewed, it is likely that one day he will walk out of prison a free man. Despite his heinous crime, Paris is first eligible for parole in 8 years’ time.

The situation is now even more complex as Charity has a younger son, Phoenix. Charity fears that, after his release, they both could be a target for Paris’ psychopathic resentment. Experts have advised Charity to go into hiding not only to protect herself but Phoenix, too. Soon, Charity may face an incredibly tough choice: to walk away from the son she has stood by for over 10 years in order to protect her youngest child.

As Piers burrows into the workings of Paris’ psyche over one intense hour, the interview is also viewed by a former elite FBI profiler and one of America’s leading criminologists. At key moments they forensically analyse Paris’ answers and give us key insights into the workings of his mind.

Dr Casey Jordan said: “Psychopathy can’t be cured. He will not, can not change. He can be managed which is why he is in a prison but it will never go away. In my opinion, he should never get out.”

With a story that will leave any parent genuinely torn over what they would do in Charity’s situation – and expert analysis that adds a fascinating layer to the prison encounter – Piers’ interview with Paris lays bare the workings of a dangerous mind, and the terrible toll a violent psychopath can inflict on those who love them the most.